Female Jockey Makes Horse Racing History At Suffolk Downs

Tammi Piermarini recorded the 2,000th win of her career at Suffolk Downs. (Photo courtesy of Chip Bott)

EAST BOSTON (CBS) – A Massachusetts woman made horse racing history at Suffolk Downs Monday. Tammi Piermarini became only the fifth female jockey in history to reach 2000 wins.

Piermarini rode into the record books on horse named Sugar Trade. She says she never would’ve imagined the achievement when she began racing in 1985 at age 18.

“It didn’t hit me until this last month,” she told WBZ-TV. “I had no idea, didn’t hit me until my husband said, you really have something to be proud of here.”

WBZ-TV’s Lauren Leamanczyk reports

Piermarini idolizes the four women who hit the mark before here. But, she’s done in a way even her predecessors haven’t. “I’ve also had three kids in between. That’s my biggest accomplishment. That’s what I’m most proud of,” she explains.

Piermarini was back in the saddle just two weeks after giving birth to her third child.

She says through pregnancies, serious injuries, and setbacks, her love of horse racing has always pushed her to keep going. “I’d do it for free. I just love the horses. This is my passion. It always has been since I was little.”

Her favorite part? That’s an easy question. “Winning’s my favorite part,” Piermarini says while laughing. “I hate to get beat. I’m really not a good loser.”